Electric razor



ELECTRIC RAZOR Filed y 10. 1957 'l'flfllllllllllllh A 39' m INVENIOR.

E MARIO 5 1x121 4, 6' I I QZITORNEY.

Patented Aug. 19, 1941- ELECTRIC RAZOR Mario Tanzi. Chicago, Ill., assignor to Mid City National Bank, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 10, 1937, Serial No. 141,681

2 Claims. (Cl. 30-43) This invention relates to safety razors and more particularly to power operated safety razors actuated by electric motors or other sources of power.

It contemplates more especially an improved power actuated safety 'razor that provides a smoother shave without resort to water, soap, cream or any other shaving preparations.

One object of the present invention is to simplify the construction and improve the operation of devices of the character mentioned.

Another object is to provide an improved shaving head that can be placed in more effective hair shearing relation to the skin so as to enable a smoother and closer shave.

Still another object is to provide an improved self-contained electrically operated safety razor having a cutter head that is more effective in operation than similar devices designed for shaving purposes. i

A further object is to provide an improved shaving head of a cylindrical tubular type that is more effective in operation and entails less time in producing closer shaves.

A still further object is to provide an improved shaving head of a cylindrical tubular type cutter that has oscillatory rather than continuous rotary or reciprocatory movement to effectively shave the hairs from the skin.

Still a further object is to provide a shaving head of improved tubular cylindrical design that embodies a single uninterrupted slit for the reception of hair and afiords closer smooth shaves in consequence thereof.

An additional object is to provide an improved cylindrical shaving head that is capable of being thoroughly cleansed of all foreign substances including hair without requiring the detachment thereof from its power actuating member.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front view in elevation of a device embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view in elevation of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of the devices shown in Figures 1 and 2 as viewed in the direction of the shaving head.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a shaving head and its associated part taken substantially along line IV-IV of Figure 3, the shaving head guard being modified to omit the serrated projections and is regarded as the preferred embodiment thereof.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the cutter shown removed from its head or guard with parts thereof broken away and shown in section to more effectively illustrate the details of construction.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified form of rotary cutter embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a'fragmentary plan view of a modified form of the cutter guard shown in Figure .4. The structure selected for illustration comprises a casing LU molded or otherwise shaped from any suitable composition material to serve as a'housing for an electric motor of any suitable or known construction. The shape of the casing I0 is capable of wide variation depending upon the dictates of commercial practice, although it is preferably elongated not only to serve as a housing for the electric motor but also to provide for theconvenient and effective grasp thereof by the hand of the user.. Through the manipulation of the casing I0, its shaving head may be conveniently and effectively held against and displaced in effective hair shearing relation over the skin surface to be shaved as will appear more fully hereinafter.

In the present embodiment, the casing l0 has convexly curved intermediate edge portions l|l2 confronting each other and terminating at one extremity in a flat surface l3. The casing extremity i3 is preferably though not essentially receptacled to accommodate spaced electric terminals leading from the motor (not shown) within the casing 10 and cooperating with a conventional plug M. The plug [4 is connected to an insulated conduit l5 provided with lead wires for placing the motor in circuit with an external source of electrical energy such as the customary lighting circuit. The casing l0 has lateral confronting surfaces lS-ll that are similarly of convex curvature so proportioned to project above the intermediate convex side edges ll l2 to provide a deeper compartment motor housing than would be afforded by the depth of the side edges l I-l 2. The curved sides, edges and intermediate surfaces smoothly merge into each other to define an attractive casing ID as well as afford the convenient and effective grasp thereof by one hand of the user so that the entire casing It may move with ease over "the cas not essentially define smooth merging continuous surfaces that terminate upwardly in a fiat end surface |8 somewhat larger in extent than the lower fiat surface |3,- but parallel therewith to define the outline of the casing ID. The lateral surface l6 preferably constitutes an integral plate that is detachably associated with the casing i and fixed thereto by meansof fasteners such as threaded screws I8. The removable plate It enables access to the interior of the easing Hifor adjustment, cleansing and repair, and serves as a complement of the other walls of the casing ID that are integral apart from the plate l6.

It is worthy of note that the end surface I8 is substantially rectangular in configurationand serves as a peripheral edge of a correspondingly shaped recess 28 which extends longitudinally inwardly of thecasing l8 toserve as a receptacle for a shaving head 2| of corresponding shape and size; The shaving head 2| is, in this instance, cast or otherwise shaped from metallic material with its base region 22 shaped to conform with the recess formed in the end |8 of ill for the detachable reception thereof.

The rectangular base portion 22 of the head 2| extends upwardly in confronting converging surfaces 23 and 24 that are furcated to provide split confronting curved surfaces 25 and 26 defining an interrupted cylindrical surface for the reception of a correspondingly shaped shaving cutter guard 21 therein when disposed endwise or axially therethrough. The shaving cutter guard 21 is of elongated cylindrical configuration and serves as a complement of the confronting interiorly recessed arcuate surfaces 25-28 of the shaving head which effect the grasp thereof intermediate the guard extremities for retention by any suitable fastening expedients such as threaded studs 28 and 28.

The threaded studs 28 and 28 engage correspondingly threaded apertures 38 and 3| which 'extend through the furcated extremities 23-24 of the shaving head 2| to engage the cylindrical cutter guard 21 and retain such in position against movement. The threaded studs 2828 serve the dual purpose of effecting the attachment of the cutter guard 21 in the shaving head 2| as well as cause inward flexing thereof to render somewhat smaller the diameter of the cylindrical cutter guard 21 so that such will be slightly adlustable to compensate for wear owing to the oscillation of an interiorly disposed cutter confined therein as will appear more fully hereinafter.

To this end and for the purpose of receiving the hair to be sheared or shaved, the cutter guard 21 is provided with an elongated slit or narrow slot 32 extending through the surface and longitudinally thereof to communicate with the guard extremities 33-44. The hair extending from the skin against which the guard 21 is pressed, will project through the single elongated and longitudinally disposed guard slit 32 provided in the surface of the guard 21. In order to bring the interior surface of the guard 21 as close to the skin as possible and to enable a smooth close shave within the confines of the cuttersuard slit 32 so that the hair will fully project therein, the regions of the cutter guard 21 adjacent the slit 32' are ground or otherwise shaped to provide tanclose shave, the cylindrical cutter guard 21 has,

thewall thereof as thin as possible within the requirements of strength and the ability to withstandwear over extended periods. The guard 21 is preferably of hardened steel and presents a cylindrical interior surface for the reception of a correspondingly shaped cylindical. cutter 31. The cylindrical cutter 31 is also of tubular construction and has an axial bore 38 so that hair cutting teeth-38 may be provided in the surface thereof to extend entirely through to the bore 38.

As a result,'the hair that is cut from the skin surface will fall through elongated longitudinal openings 40 in front of the teeth 39 that may be of any selected shape or configuration as commercial practice may dictate. The teeth 38 preferably though not essentially are separated by substantially U-shaped apertures 4|v which merge with the openings 40 so as to provide a continuous cutting edge in opposite transverse directions relative to the length or longitudinal axis of the cylindrical cutter 31.

The teeth 38 are suitably spaced from each other within the requirements of commercial practice and extend in opposite directions with the teeth of each longitudinal series or set disposed alternately of each other so as toinsure hair shaving over a continuous and complete surface without interruption. The oppositely disposed teeth 39 are transversely spaced from "each other within the range of the oscillatory movement of the cutter 31 as will appear more fully hereinafter so as to bring one and then the other of the teeth 39 within the confines of the slot 32 provided in the external cutter guard 21 to effectively cut the hairs from the skin.

The oppositely disposed sets of teeth 39 may 'be formed by drilling tangentially through the cylindrical cutter 81 in a transverse direction so as to first provide the apertures 42 constituting upon the requirements of commercial practice and the available production facilities',

Should commercial practice so dictate, the

cutter guard 21 may be provided with slightly gentially fiat surfaces 83 and 38 that rest against 2 upraised projections or,nodes 43 and 44 that are spaced relative to each other in longitudinal alignment proximate to the tangentially ground surfaces 35 and 38, respectively, in order to fold the skin and guide the hair thereof in the direction of the slot 32 (Figure 3), but this expedient is not necessary and can be dispensed with unless the skin of certain individuals possesses characteristics as to sensitiveness and beard types which will render the presence thereof advantageous.

In order to effect the movement of the cylindrical cutter 31 relative to the guard 21, an oscillatory armature 46 operatively connected to the motor confined within the casing I8, is caused to extend to the recess 20 provided in the casing head- [8 (Figure 4). The armature 45 projects through an aperture 48 provided in the shaving head 22, and the aperture 46 communicates with a slot 41 provided in the lower portion of the cutter guard 21 (Figure 4). The armature extremity 48 of the armature 45 will project within a correspondingly shaped recess 49 provided in the adjacent surface of the cylindrical cutter 31 (Figures 4and 5) to impart oscillatory movement thereto.

It is worthy of note that the armature engaging recess 49 has confronting nodes 50 that engage the edges of the armature extremity 48 to provide a snug operative connection therebetween and permit their relative oscillation so that the cutter 31 will rotate to and fro within the guard 21 so that the oppositely directed sets of teeth 39 will be effective to shear the .hair from'the skin depending upon the "direction in which the shaving head 2| is being displaced over the skin surface to maintain the cutter 31 in shearing relation thereto.

Consequently, the casing Ill may be moved back and forth over the skin surface to shear the hair therefrom and an unusually close shave is obtainable because the slit 32 in the cutter guard 21 is substantially flush with the exterior cylindrical cutting surface of the cutter 31. The shaving head 2| is disposed in shearing relation with the skin by resting the tangential flat surfaces'35 and 36 of the cutter guard 21 against the skin in order that the hairs therefrom will project through the slot or slit 32 while the exterior surface of the cutter 31 is oscillated in the plane of the skin surface so that the hairs will be sheared at their point of emergence from the skin,

The flat tangential guard surfaces 35 and 36 press the skin downwardly when the casing I is held in the hand and force is applied perpendicular to the skin surface. The hairs in the area of the slot 32 will, in consequence thereof, be further extended than normally to render a smooth shave possible and place the cutter 31 in shearing relation with or even somewhat below the normal skin line of the hairs. Close shaving is possible, therefore, in that the area defined by the slot or slit 32 freely receives the hairs while the skin in the region thereof is depressed therefrom tolmomen-tarily extend the hairs somewhat beyond the skin surface in order to permit the oscillating cutter 31 to shear the hairs along the line that normallyrcoincides with the skin surface.

In order to hold the shaving head 2| in position against accidental displacement relative to the casing Hi, the latter is provided with pins and 52 that project in the recess 20 from the bottom thereof so as to register with correspondingly shaped cavities 53 and 54 provided in the adjacent end surface of the shaving head 2|. Accordingly, the head 2| will always be properly aligned with the casing Ill within the recess 20, and connection is established therebetween by means of a threaded screw 55 that engages the correspondingly threaded aperture in the casing l0 proximate to the end extremity l8. The screw 55 projects into the recess 20 to engage the shaving head 2| detachment thereof. A small screw driver may be utilized to manipulate the set screw 55 so that the shaving head 2| may be detached therefrom should occasion require for adjustment or other purposes.

It should be noted, however, that the head I 2| need not be removed for cleansing purposes to preclude the accidental in that a small cylindrical brush need only be displaced through the interior bore 33 of the The motor starting wheel 55 is accessible" through the casing plate l6 that has an opening 51 provided therein to serve as a complement of the starting wheel 56 utilized to initiate the operation of the motor after the electrical cord l5 has been connected to the source of electrical energy. Should commercial practice so dictate, the elongated longitudinal guard 21 with its correspondingly shaped interior cutter 31, may be attached to the casing extremity la in a direction opposite to that illustrated in the embodiment described herein, since for compactness it may be desired to arrange the guard 21 with its cutter 31 in a direction normal tothat shown in the drawing and described supra.

A modified cutter is shown in Figure 6, and it differs only from the cutter shown in Figure 5 in so far as the shape of the teeth 39' terminate in almost a point rather than a blunt straight surface as described in the other embodiment.

The oppositely directed cutting teeth 39' are alternately disposed relative to each other and are preferably reinforced by bridging members 42' somewhat undercut from the external surface of the cutter 31 to provide expansive openings II for the reception of the hair therein for shearing by the teeth 38' as such oscillate relative to the cutter guard 21. It is preferred to use the exterior cutter guard 21' (Figure 7) that is provided with the longitudinal slit or slot 32' having their flat tangential surfaces 35' and 38' without any nodes or projections such as shown and designated by numeral 43 in Figures 1, 2- a and 3. The bridging members 42 may be alternately disposed on opposite sides of the teeth 39' rather than in alignment as shown in Figure 6.

It will be apparent, therefore, that a very simple and effective power actuated safety razor has been provided that does not require the removal of the shaving hea'd 2i nor dismantling. of its guard 21 or cutter 31 in order to remove the sheared hair therefrom as is customarily required in power actuated safety razors of known design. Further, it is possible to procure a smoother and close shave owing to the shaving head design of the type disclosed and described or intended to be disclosed and described herein and constituting features of the present lnven-.

tion.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically disclosed without departing from or sacrificing any, of the advantages of the invention or any features thereof, and nothing herein shall be con-' cylindrical elongated shaving head having a single elongated slit defining confronting edges for the reception of hair therebetween, said elon.

gated slit extending for substantially the entire length of said cylindrical shaving head, a tubular cylindrical cutter having a perforated wall slidable relative to said elongated slit for cooperating with the confronting edges thereof,

means for oscillating said tubular cutter transversely of said elongated slit to cut hair entering said elongated slit of said shaving head, and meansfor flexing said cylindrical shaving head to fractionally vary the diameter thereof for wear compensation.

2. A shaving machine comprising a tubular cylindrical elongated shaving head having a" single elongated slit defining confronting edges for the reception of hair therebetween, said elongated slit extending for substantially the entire Means cylindrical shaving head being tapered in the region of said slit to bring said cutter in extremely vclose shearing relation to the skin against which it rests for shaving the hair therefrom, and means for flexing said cylindrical shaving head to fractionally vary the diameter thereof for wear compensation.

MARIO TANZI. 

